Mini vs. Standard doodles

[Karen Cox]

I currently own a 4 yr old standard goldendoodle and am ready to add another doodle to our family.  I'm considering a mini or medium doodle.  My original breeder states in her website that she doesn't breed minis because she has found them to be more prone to behavioral and temperament problems.  I haven't seen any distinction between the behavior of minis vs. standards on this forum, does anyone have any input or advice?

[Lynda Kamrath]

We have had a little experience with this and a lot of experience with doodles.   I would say that it mostly depends on your home situation.  Is it no problem having two large dogs?  Would a small doodle work out better in your home situation?  I like large dogs, but we had two large doodles (105 and 85 pounds) and it was a bit much, so when one of them died, I got a smaller doodle for a replacement.  Now we have 85 and 50 pounds and they are easier to handle.  So, it depends on a lot of things, not just temperament.  I think you could compare it to a miniature poodle verses a standard poodle.  We have also had both of them and saw no great difference in temperament.

[Karen Cox]

Thanks, good info.  I think that a small doodle will be better in our household because we spend a significant amount of time on our boat and love having our dogs with us (our 75 lb goldendoodle LOVES the boat rides!!). I'm afraid that two big dogs on a boat would make things difficult.  I recently lost my 12 yr old yorkie and, while I don't want another tiny dog, I do want another dog.  I'm glad to hear that size is not a major influence on behavior.   

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I am sorry about your yorkie. I have a Chihuahua and mini doodle and they are a great pair. 

[BG and Gavin]

I don't know myself, but am interested in hearing other's input.  I have heard it said before that the standard poodle and the miniature/toy poodles are completely different "breeds" and thus carry different qualities. 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I have a mini. I do think that Peri is probably a little yappier than a standard doodle - husband and I tend to think it is because of the mini poodle in her.  HOWEVER I love, love love having a 25 pound doodle - so manageable, still has that golden retriever side, etc...  I just don't think you can go wrong and it depends on your home situation, as Lynda says. But I am not an expert.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My rambling thoughts:  I think the small poodles, like other smaller lap dogs, might be more prone to be 'yappy' than larger dogs, but some of that is simply how they are raised.  I would be more concerned physically with a first generation, genetically mixing a large boned dog with a small one seems worrisome orthopedically.  I have a small multigenerational labradoodle and a larger rescue goldendoodle (well heavier rather than much taller).  The small one 17" and 28 pounds is not as small as they are breeding them now. He has absolutely NO orthopedic issues. He is not 'yappy,' but he does have a bit of the "I think I am bigger than you are" attitude. He does bark at  what he perceives as a threat to his pack so we finally got a bark collar that we use periodically - works like a charm too. I will say that his bark is high pitched and more annoying than the deeper tone of a larger dog.  Our rescue, which I think is a first generation goldendoodle is not structured like most doodles - he is very stocky and heavy boned - perhaps the mix of a tiny poodle with a standard sized golden retriever.  His legs are short for his body.  He is five and has not had any health problems to date.

We got our first doodle specifically chose a smaller one because we had two 50-65 pound dogs and often travel in our RV.  We also were concerned that with us getting older, we wouldn't be able to lift a large dog, if needed, in the years to come.

[Karen Cox]

The minis that I'm considering are multi-gens and both parents are about the same size, so no concerns about the first gen issues.  The new puppy is supposed to be between 25 - 30lbs.  I was told that my current gd would be around 45lbs and she's a happy, peppy 75 lbs.  Good point about the lifting of the dogs....I hadn't considered that possible problem.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

 We haven't had any trouble with size differences except once.  Our lab mix was 65 pounds, our Springer was 50 pounds and Ned grew to be 27 pounds.  We had no issues with size.  Now we also have Clancy - 62 pounds and when we have had smaller dogs over, Clancy is soooooo good with them,he lays or crouches down to play with them.  The only incident we have ever had was once at a dog park, Clancy and Ned were on a collision course and Ned was sort of body slammed by Clancy. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Ouch, poor Ned!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

He did yip as he rolled, but got up and continued running!  It worried more than it did him, I guess.

[Karen Cox]

What a great pic!

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

I have a mini at 27ish lbs and a "medium" at 60 lbs.  I see temperament differences but I always thought it was just their personalities.  Ben is much more relaxed (when in a comfortable environment) and Zoe is much more peppy and outgoing.  I love Zoe's size and sometimes think Ben is rather large but he is the sweetest guy ever.  Zoe is more of a rascal so I'm glad my bigger dog isn't the same bc it would drive me insane.

Did you ever have any issues with your doodle and yorkie when playing?  I find that Ben is a little goofy and doesn't know his size when playing with Zoe and gets too rough.  That's when Zoe calls everything off and leaves haha